Detroit’s three casinos set new revenue record in 2018

Detroit’s three commercial casinos reported record gaming revenue in 2018, although only two properties beat their personal best numbers.

On Tuesday, the Michigan Gaming Control Board released its annual gaming revenue figures for 2018, during which Detroit’s three commercial gaming venues generated a combined $1.44b in revenue, $40m higher than 2017’s result and $20m higher than the previous record of $1.42b set in 2011.

Slots accounted for $1.17b (81%) of 2018’s record haul, with the remaining $272m coming from table games. The casinos paid the state $117m in gaming taxes in 2018, while the city of Detroit earned $183m through gaming taxes and development agreement payments.

The three casinos closed out 2018 with revenue of just under $127.5m in December, 9.7% higher than the same month last year. December’s haul was the second-best monthly total this year, behind only the $138.6m the casinos earned in March.